Celebrity culture and its influence on young people is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2. This topic has appeared in various forms over the years and is likely to continue being relevant in future exams. Let’s explore a specific question related to this theme and analyze sample essays at different band scores.
Some people think that celebrities have a positive influence on young people, while others believe their influence is negative. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss the positive influences of celebrities on youth
- Discuss the negative influences of celebrities on youth
- Provide their own opinion on the matter
It’s crucial to address all parts of the question and maintain a balanced approach throughout the essay.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
The impact of celebrities on young people has been a subject of debate for many years. While some argue that famous personalities can inspire and motivate youth, others contend that their influence can be detrimental. In my opinion, celebrity influence can be both positive and negative, depending on how it is perceived and internalized by young individuals.
On the one hand, celebrities can serve as powerful role models for the younger generation. Many successful actors, musicians, and athletes have overcome significant obstacles to achieve their dreams, demonstrating the value of hard work, perseverance, and dedication. Their stories of triumph can inspire young people to pursue their own goals with determination. Moreover, when celebrities use their platform to raise awareness about important social issues or engage in philanthropic activities, they can encourage youth to become more socially conscious and actively involved in their communities.
The effects of celebrity culture on youth aspirations can be profound. For instance, a young aspiring scientist might be motivated by the public engagement of figures like Neil deGrasse Tyson or Brian Cox, who have made complex scientific concepts accessible and exciting to the general public. Similarly, activists like Malala Yousafzai have inspired countless young people to stand up for education and human rights.
On the other hand, the negative influence of celebrities on youth cannot be ignored. The constant exposure to unrealistic beauty standards and lavish lifestyles portrayed by many celebrities can lead to low self-esteem, body image issues, and materialistic attitudes among young people. Furthermore, when celebrities engage in controversial or illegal behavior, it can send the wrong message to their young fans, potentially normalizing destructive habits or attitudes.
The influence of celebrity endorsements on social behavior is particularly noteworthy. Young people may be more inclined to purchase products or adopt behaviors promoted by their favorite celebrities, even if these choices are not in their best interests. This susceptibility to influence can be exploited by marketers, potentially leading to poor financial decisions or unhealthy lifestyle choices.
In my view, the impact of celebrities on youth is a double-edged sword. While positive role models can inspire and motivate, negative influences can be equally powerful. The key lies in developing critical thinking skills among young people, enabling them to discern between positive and negative influences. Parents, educators, and society at large have a responsibility to guide youth in interpreting celebrity culture and making informed decisions about the values and behaviors they choose to emulate.
In conclusion, the influence of celebrities on young people is complex and multifaceted. By fostering media literacy and critical thinking, we can help youth navigate the world of celebrity culture, embracing its positive aspects while mitigating its potential negative impacts. (394 words)
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Celebrities have a big impact on young people these days. Some people think this influence is good, while others believe it’s bad. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
On the positive side, celebrities can inspire young people to achieve their goals. Many famous people have interesting stories about how they became successful. These stories can motivate youth to work hard and follow their dreams. Also, when celebrities support good causes, like helping the environment or fighting poverty, it can make young people care more about these issues.
However, there are also negative effects of celebrity influence. Some young people try to copy the way celebrities look or act, which isn’t always healthy. For example, they might want to be very thin like some movie stars, which can lead to eating problems. Another issue is that some celebrities behave badly, like using drugs or breaking laws, and young fans might think this behavior is okay.
Role of social media influencers in shaping youth culture is important to consider. Many young people follow celebrities on social media and are influenced by what they post. This can be good if the celebrity shares positive messages, but it can be bad if they promote unhealthy products or lifestyles.
In my opinion, celebrity influence can be both good and bad for young people. It depends on which celebrities they follow and how they understand the celebrity’s life. I think it’s important for parents and teachers to help young people think critically about celebrity culture. They should teach youth to look up to celebrities who set good examples and not just follow anyone who is famous.
To conclude, celebrities can have positive and negative influences on young people. While they can inspire and raise awareness about important issues, they can also promote unrealistic standards and bad behavior. It’s crucial to guide young people in how they view and interpret celebrity culture. (309 words)
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Celebrities are very popular today and many young people like them. Some people say celebrities are good for youth, but others say they are bad. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
Good things about celebrities for young people:
- Celebrities can show young people how to be successful
- Some celebrities do good things like helping poor people
- Young people can learn new things from celebrities
Bad things about celebrities for young people:
- Some celebrities do bad things like taking drugs
- Young people might want to look like celebrities, which is not always good
- Celebrities sometimes advertise products that are not healthy
How music and arts influence youth culture is important. Many young people like music stars and want to be like them. This can be good if the music has good messages, but bad if it talks about violence or drugs.
I think celebrities can be good and bad for young people. It depends on what the celebrity does and how young people think about them. Parents and teachers should help young people understand about celebrities.
In conclusion, celebrities have good and bad effects on young people. Young people should be careful about which celebrities they like and not copy everything they do. (195 words)
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Fully addresses all parts of the task with a well-developed response
- Presents a clear position throughout the response
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features
- Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy
- Cohesive devices are used effectively throughout
- Demonstrates awareness of style and tone
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Addresses all parts of the task, though some parts may be more fully covered than others
- Presents a relevant position, though conclusions may become unclear or repetitive
- Uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms
- Arranges information and ideas coherently and there is a clear overall progression
- Uses cohesive devices effectively, but cohesion within and/or between sentences may be faulty or mechanical
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Addresses the task only partially; format may be inappropriate in places
- Expresses a position but development is not always clear
- Uses a limited range of vocabulary; errors may occur when expressing complex ideas
- Uses a limited range of structures with some attempt to use more complex sentences
- Presents information with some organization but there may be lack of overall progression
- Makes inadequate, inaccurate or over-use of cohesive devices
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Influence (noun) – /ˈɪnfluəns/ – the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something
- Detrimental (adjective) – /ˌdetrɪˈmentl/ – tending to cause harm
- Perseverance (noun) – /ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪərəns/ – persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success
- Philanthropic (adjective) – /ˌfɪlənˈθrɒpɪk/ – seeking to promote the welfare of others; generous and benevolent
- Materialism (noun) – /məˈtɪəriəlɪzəm/ – a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values
- Controversial (adjective) – /ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃl/ – giving rise or likely to give rise to controversy or public disagreement
- Susceptibility (noun) – /səˌseptəˈbɪləti/ – the state or fact of being likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing
- Multifaceted (adjective) – /ˌmʌltɪˈfæsɪtɪd/ – having many different aspects or features
- Emulate (verb) – /ˈemjuleɪt/ – match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation
- Media literacy (noun phrase) – /ˈmiːdiə ˈlɪtərəsi/ – the ability to identify different types of media and understand the messages they’re sending
Conclusion
The impact of celebrity culture on youth is a complex and relevant topic for IELTS Writing Task 2. As you prepare for your exam, consider practicing with similar questions, such as:
- To what extent do celebrities influence young people’s career choices?
- Should celebrities be held responsible for their influence on youth behavior?
- Discuss the role of social media in amplifying celebrity influence on young people.
Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and provide specific examples to support your arguments. Feel free to practice writing an essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion with other learners.